RECIPROCAL ACCESS FOR ALL MEMBERS

All members can now enjoy equal membership type access at both clubs to reserve courts/lanes, utilize facilities, and participate in activities at each location. This enhancement ensures broader access and availability of amenities across both clubs. If you are currently a reciprocal member, your January billing will reflect the removal of the reciprocal line item.

Note: Central Park Tennis Courts 5 & 6 are included in this policy update and will be opened to seven day advanced booking. Tennis Pros will now have the ability to teach lessons on any available court.

MEMBERSHIP TYPE REALIGNMENT

In order to create more clarity in reporting, billing and facility usage, we are realigning our membership tiers to the following:

• Tennis Membership: Access to all facility amenities.

• Pickleball Membership: Access to all facility amenities except tennis.

• Health Membership: Access to all facility amenities except racquet sports.

Note: Racquetball, Handball and Squash Members will be classified under the pickleball membership type.

DUES INCREASE

As the cost of living continues to rise, so does the cost of small business operations. The dues increase, effective January 1, 2024 will be as follows:

Pickleball, Racquetball, and Health Member dues will increase by $2 per month, addressing the growing cost of business operations.

Tennis Member dues will increase by $50 per month. This change is aimed at sustaining indoor tennis in Spokane and is crucial for the sport's longevity in the space it demands.

FRONT DESK PHONE RESERVATIONS

Reservations made through the Front Desk via phone must be made after 10AM, providing our front desk team with a more efficient and effective workflow. Online and Front Desk booking remains available at 7AM, seven days in advance.

With the recent updates to our club management software made in September, our front desk team has taken on additional administrative responsibilities. Shifting the phone reservation opening time to 10AM allows our team to handle the morning rush and in-person traffic more efficiently. This change is designed to enhance the overall member experience.

RESERVATION QUANTITIES

Each member can now book only one court/swim lane at any given time. This will help to ensure fair access to courts and streamline our reservation process. Members playing in the same groups are welcome to book courts at the same time, individually.

This policy aligns with our online system and now applies to phone and in-person reservations as well. Thanks for helping us create a more harmonious reservation experience!

TENNIS COURT TIME BLOCKS

Bringing uniformity to both clubs, North Park will adopt Central Park's practice of using 90-minute time blocks for tennis reservations, enhancing scheduling consistency.

RESERVATION NO SHOW / LATE CANCELLATION FEES

No Show Fee ($10): will be applied to any unattended court reservations.

Late Cancel Fee ($10): will be applied to court reservations that are cancelled with less than 24-hour notice.

We appreciate your cooperation in minimizing cancellations to ensure a seamless reservation experience.

Our Guest Fee is now $15 for all guests. Happy Hour Guest Fee pricing ($10) will be offered Monday thru Friday from 12PM - 3PM for all guests. Additionally, for a limited time, members will be allowed to bring one guest for FREE every Sunday. These changes aim to provide greater access to our community during off-peak hours.

Note: All minors (under 18) entering the facility must have a signed e-waiver. The waiver can be signed by a legal adult accompanying the minor or by a parent via email to the club manager, indicating consent, liability release, and commitment to facility policies.

DECISION

We have reached a definitive decision to convert North Park Tennis Court 3 into four dedicated pickleball courts. The project is scheduled to commence in early January 2024 (exact start and end dates will be communicated once finalized).

Recognizing that this decision may elicit both positive and negative reactions, we would like to offer some context behind this strategic move.

GROWTH OF PICKLEBALL

While tennis remains immensely popular on a global scale, it's important to recognize that the decision to repurpose Tennis Court 3 into dedicated pickleball courts is driven by the undeniable surge in popularity that pickleball has witnessed within the Spokane community. The substantial increase in participation underscores the growing demand and preference for pickleball facilities in our region.

FACILITY SPECIFIC COURT USAGE

Analysis of court usage at North Park indicates a substantial shift in preference towards pickleball over tennis. Recent data reveals that pickleball usage has outpaced tennis usage by approximately 20%. This trend underscores the need to adapt our facilities to meet the evolving recreational interests of our members.

ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: Was member input considered in this decision?

A: The conversion is based on a comprehensive analysis of court usage at North Park. The data shows a significant shift in favor of pickleball, indicating a demand that exceeds the current provision for pickleball facilities.

Q: What impact will this have on the availability of tennis courts?

A: The decision is part of a strategic move to align both of our facilities with the changing preferences of our members. Adding reciprocal access to all memberships now allows us to offer 9 total tennis courts.

Q: What can Pickleball Players expect to see with this conversion?

A: Increased playing opportunities, enough space for all of your groups to play at once, reduced congestion and wait times, more structured/ranked play opportunities, increased overall programming.

Q: Is there a plan to reassess the decision based on future trends in recreational sports participation?

A: Regular assessments of recreational trends will be integrated into our facility management approach, and adjustments may be considered based on evolving community interests.

The engineering team we are working with has identified significant issues that require attention, including the complete replacement of the dehumidification system and upgrading all ductwork to meet current codes. Additionally, our pool heating system requires a complete overhaul, including the rerunning of gas lines. The initial bid for the dehumidification portion of this project is $173,000, and we are expecting the quote for the water heating system to be upwards of $20,000.

We are still awaiting a bid from a second contracting company to ensure we explore all available options, but as part of our commitment to transparency, we wanted to get this message to you. Please bear with us as we navigate this complex process to determine the most viable and cost-effective solution for our club.

Given the high cost and the time required to procure the necessary parts, we understand the impact this has and will have on your membership experience. In light of this, we want to extend our appreciation for your patience during this challenging period.

As stated in previous updates, our Central Park location has a pool and hot tub that is available to you. Recognizing the inconvenience this situation may pose for some members, we understand if you wish to reconsider your membership due to the ongoing pool repairs. Please get in touch with us if you wish to make a change to your membership.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and assure you that we are doing everything possible to expedite the repair process. We value your continued support and look forward to restoring our pool facilities to their optimal condition.